COLUMBUS, Ga.- Hundreds of people packed Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus for a free family day of fun.

Several parents around the valley say the 15th annual Spooktacular Halloween Festival keeps them at ease knowing their kids are safe.

Ebony James, a concerned parent, said, “It’s fun, it’s safe , they have costume contest and I don’t have to worry about them getting hit by cars or anything like that.”

The city of Columbus designated trick or treat times from 6 p.m. to 8:30 on Halloween.

Cynthia Salinas-Crow says her kids aren’t waiting until then.

“I just don’t see how it’s going to happen when most people are getting off from work at five p.m., so tonight what we’re going to do is go to Fort Benning,” said Crow.

Crow also says she’s not participating on Monday because neighborhoods can get crowded and congested.

“They want to run to the houses without looking at the cars and that’s when the parents have to be very watchful for them,” said Crow.

This year Jillian Price and her family participated in the costume contests.

They all dressed up as characters from Star Wars.

Price said, “All the events that Columbus has been bringing for that last couple years have been great. Anything that can get us to participate somewhere in our city as a family and we try to be there.”

Parents say events like this are great because it brings folks in the community together and most importantly they don’t have to worry about their kids safety.